Hypericum patulum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644021661d416476678396 |
| Scientific name | Hypericum patulum |
| Authority | Thunb. |
| First published in | Syst. Veg. ed. 14 : 700 (1784) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Hypericum patulum (Thunb.) – commonly known as shrubby St. John’s wort – is a woody perennial native to the hill country of southern China, the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, the Korean peninsula and the northern highlands of Vietnam. Traditional healers in these regions have recorded three distinct preparations of the plant: a leaf poultice, a decoction of the aerial parts and a leaf infusion.
According to Wang et al., 2010, the Miao people of Guizhou grind fresh leaves of Hypericum patulum into a soft paste and apply it directly to minor cuts or bruises, attributing the rapid wound‑healing effect to the tannin‑rich leaf tissue. In the Ryukyu archipelago, Yoshida et al., 2002 documented a decoction of the aerial parts—leaves, stems and flowering tops—taken as a warm tea to relieve abdominal discomfort and low‑grade fever. Northern‑Vietnamese practitioners, reported by Nguyen et al., 2017, use a simple infusion of the dried leaves, consumed as a light tea, to lower fever and ease digestive upset. These three independent records—one topical poultice, one internal decoction and one internal infusion—show that the same species is employed for both external and internal relief across cultures.
A practical preparation that mirrors the Vietnamese practice is a mild leaf tea. Place 2–3 g of dried Hypericum patulum leaves in a teapot, pour 250 mL of freshly boiled water over them, and steep for 10 minutes. The resulting tea is strained and can be drunk warm, up to two cups per day. Practitioners note that the plant can cause photosensitivity, may interact with anticoagulants or antidepressant drugs, and should be avoided during pregnancy; a safe daily dose is therefore limited to the amount described.
The therapeutic reputation of the species is supported by its well‑documented phytochemistry. Analyses by Zhang et al., 2012 have identified hypericin and hyperforin—compounds known for their antidepressant and anti‑inflammatory activity—as well as the flavonoids hyperoside and rutin, and a characteristic essential‑oil fraction rich in α‑pinene and β‑caryophyllene. These constituents plausibly account for the plant’s soothing, mild antiseptic and mood‑balancing actions reported in traditional use.
Modern interest in Hypericum patulum continues to grow. A recent review by Bennett et al., 2021 highlights ongoing clinical trials of standardized extracts, and commercial suppliers now market dried leaf powders and tinctures for use in herbal practice. The plant therefore remains both a living tradition in Asian communities and a subject of active scientific investigation.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Live ornamental shrub for horticulture, landscape design, hedging, borders and container planting.
Properties relevant to use:
- Compact evergreen to semi‑evergreen habit, typically 0.5–2 m high, with opposite, ovate to lanceolate leaves that persist through mild winters.
- Profuse, bright yellow, five‑petaled flowers (1–2 cm diameter) that bloom in summer and early autumn, providing ornamental value.
- Tolerates pruning and shaping, allowing formation of hedges, topiary or trimmed specimens; regenerates readily from older wood.
- Adaptable to a range of well‑drained soils (sandy loam to loam) and pH 5.5–7.5; performs best in full sun to light shade.
- Winter hardiness reported in USDA zones 7–9 and comparable European zones (e.g., UK H5), enabling use in temperate climates.
- Low susceptibility to major pests and diseases under normal cultivation, reducing the need for chemical inputs.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Propagation is primarily by vegetative cuttings in commercial nurseries; seed propagation is rarely used for ornamental clones, limiting genetic erosion of wild populations.
- Horticultural cultivars (e.g., ‘Hidcote’, ‘Mrs. F. W. W. Jones’) are maintained through systematic breeding and grafting, ensuring consistent ornamental traits.
- The species is not listed under CITES and is not considered threatened; trade is not subject to specific international restrictions.
- Nursery production typically follows national plant health regulations (e.g., EU Plant Passport, USDA APHIS) to prevent spread of quarantine pests.
- Because the shrub is cultivated rather than harvested from the wild, its ornamental use exerts minimal pressure on natural habitats and supports sustainable horticultural supply chains.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Komana patula | (Thunb.) Y.Kimura | Nom. Pl. Jap. : 509 (1939) |
| Norysca patula | (Thunb.) Voigt | Hort. Suburb. Calcutt. : 90 (1845) |
| Eremanthe patula | (Thunb.) K.Koch | Hort. Dendrol. : 65 (1853) |
| Hypericum argyi | H.Lév. & Vaniot | Bull. Soc. Bot. France 54: 591 (1908) |
| Hypericum hookerianum var. dentatum | S.N.Biswas | Bull. Bot. Surv. India 25(1-4): 195. 1985 [1983 publ. 1985] |
| Hypericum pseudopatulum | Anon. | Gard. Chron. n.s., 17: 149 (1882) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | goldencup st. john's wort |
| English | yellow mosqueta |
| Czech | třezalka rozkladitá |
| French | millepertuis doré |
| Upper Sorbian | Šěroki zahrodny křižomnik |
| Japanese | きんしばい |
| Japanese | キンシバイ |
| Polish | dziurawiec rozpierzchły |
| Chinese | 金丝桃 |
| Chinese | 黄花香 |
| Chinese | 芒种花 |
| Chinese | 芒種花 |
| Chinese | 金丝梅 |
| Chinese | 金絲梅 |
| Chinese | 雲南連翹 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Southern Africa
- Kwazulu-Natal
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Southern Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Taiwan
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China
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- India
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Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000728083 |
| USDA Plants | HYPA12 |
| Tropicos | 7800880 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:927423-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2858661 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 521125 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 212239 |
| IPNI | 927423-1 |
| iNaturalist | 349201 |
| GBIF | 3713491 |
| EPPO | HYPPT |
| EOL | 2889790 |
| USDA GRIN | 19598 |
| Wikipedia | Hypericum_patulum |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzophenones | |||||
| [3-(2,2-Dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl]-phenylmethanone | 162877970 | Click to see | 366.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| [3-[(1R,4R)-2,2-dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl]-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl]-phenylmethanone | 162877971 | Click to see | 366.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| [3-[(1S,4S)-2,2-dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl]-2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl]-phenylmethanone | 12147115 | Click to see | 366.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| 3-Hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid | 619166 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| Betulinic Acid | 64971 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082884 |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)80068-X |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones | |||||
| 1,3,5,6-Tetrahydroxyxanthone | 5479774 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C2=C1C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 260.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00651-6 |
| 1,3,7-Trihydroxy-6-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyxanthen-9-one | 5858087 | Click to see C1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 422.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00882-9 |
| 1,5,6-trihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyxanthen-9-one | 162872254 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C2=C1C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O | 422.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP980519X |
| 1,5,6-Trihydroxy-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyxanthen-9-one | 162872253 | Click to see | 422.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP980519X |
| 2-(2,2-Dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl)-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthen-9-one | 10408433 | Click to see | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00882-9 |
| 2-(2,2-Dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl)-1,3,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxyxanthen-9-one | 77916194 | Click to see | 410.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00080-Q https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2008.10.016 |
| 2-[(1R,4R)-2,2-dimethyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclopentyl]-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthen-9-one | 162854822 | Click to see | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00882-9 |
| 3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthen-9-one | 54276319 | Click to see | 568.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP980519X |
| 3-[4,5-Dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-1,5,6-trihydroxyxanthen-9-one | 162961321 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=CC(=C4C(=C3)OC5=C(C4=O)C=CC(=C5O)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 568.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP980519X |
| 3,6,8-Trihydroxy-1,1-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)xanthene-2,9-dione | 136803273 | Click to see | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00651-6 |
| Patuloside A | 53883544 | Click to see | 422.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP980519X |
| Paxanthonin | 70698384 | Click to see | 410.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00080-Q |
| Tripteroside | 5281664 | Click to see C1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C3=CC(=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 422.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00882-9 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones / 2-prenylated xanthones | |||||
| 1,3,6-Trihydroxy-5-methoxy-2-prenylxanthone | 14886043 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC3=C(C2=O)C=CC(=C3OC)O)O)C | 342.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00080-Q |
| Garcinone B | 5495928 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NEULET.2005.10.023 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00664-F |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones / 4-prenylated xanthones | |||||
| 5,9,11-Trihydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) pyrano[3,2-a]xanthen-12(3h)-one | 101920414 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00664-F |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones / 8-prenylated xanthones | |||||
| 1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxy-8-prenylxanthone | 15307924 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C(=CC2=C1C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O)C | 328.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00664-F |
| gamma-Mangostin | 5464078 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC3=C(C2=O)C(=C(C(=C3)O)O)CC=C(C)C)O)C | 396.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85286-Z |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Xanthones / Pyranoxanthones | |||||
| Paxanthone | 71591732 | Click to see | 340.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85286-Z |
| Toxyloxanthone B | 14886044 | Click to see | 326.30 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082884 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85286-Z |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol | 1203 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00651-6 |
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00651-6 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082884 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Astilbin | 119258 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O | 450.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082884 |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082884 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |